Two Degrees

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Educate about Climate Change”

In this activity, students will research and reflect on a question to help educate about climate change.

The characters fight climate change in different ways, including through a rally at the end of the novel. Focus your efforts on educating others on an aspect of climate change you’d like to investigate.

• List 3-4 points made in the text about the environment, animals, disasters, or other related details that surprised or interested you as you read the book. Then write 2-3 exploratory, connected questions for each. An example might be “Natalie avoided the alligators that she knew would be in the canal. Why are alligators in the canal? What impact might a Category 5 hurricane have on alligators and other reptiles? Has the impact from hurricanes on animal life changed over time?”
• Journal any clues or answers in the novel regarding your questions.
• Choose one question to research. Find at least three reputable resources to learn more about your question.
• Create a visual aid such as a poster or infographic to display the information you learn.
• When you share your information with the class, explain the plot or character details that inspired your question.

After presentations, reflect on what you learned. Draw connections to the themes of Human Connection and the Natural World, Coming of Age in a Changing World, and Survival and Resilience in Disaster.

Teaching Suggestion: Climate change as a topic can be overwhelming for some middle grade readers, and seeking information and facts can be a first step in seeing the value in educating oneself and others on tough issues. For visual aids, students might create posters, list key insights, or draw images with captions.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The characters face various disasters caused by climate change.

• What lesson does the novel develop about Survival and Resilience in Disaster? (topic sentence)
• Include at least four details and quotations to discuss your ideas, and fully explain your reasoning in support of your topic sentence.
• In your conclusion, summarize the ways in which resilience is symbolized in one of the main characters; explain your rationale.

2. Polar bears threaten Owen and George throughout their harrowing night.

• What is the significance of George and Owen saving the polar bear? (topic sentence)
• As you craft your essay, incorporate at least four quotations from the novel that build your analysis. Cite these as instructed by your teacher.
• In your conclusion, explain a lesson readers can learn from their actions.

3. The novel focuses on the power young people have.

• Which character shows the strongest leadership capabilities in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Analyze and discuss three events or character actions that support your choice. Argue for your character’s strong role in the novel. Incorporate at least four details and quotations as well as clear analysis to craft your essay.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, determine which theme connects best with the character’s actions and the plot points with which they are connected. Briefly rationalize your choice.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Reflect on the relationship between humans and animals in the novel. To what extent are the two worlds connected? How and when do animals endanger humans? How and when do humans endanger animals? When do animals and humans help each other? What complexities exist? As you write your essay, include at least three quotations and additional details to build your ideas. Cite quotations with page number.

2. Consider Akira and Natalie and the way in which they grow up and survive disasters across the country from each other. How would you compare these two young women? How does each help others survive? What motivates each? In what ways do they face the rally at the end? As you craft your essay, incorporate at least four details and quotations to illustrate your points. Cite quotations with page number.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following most accurately describes Akira’s and her father’s views on climate change?

A) Akira does not fully believe in climate change as strongly as her father, but her father convinces her as they ride horses.

B) Akira and her father hope climate change is not real and agree not to think or talk too much about it, even after the fire.

C) Akira believes in climate change but has been reluctant to argue with her father, who disagrees, until the fire pushes her to speak up.

D) Akira and her father believe so strongly in climate change that they travel around the world together speaking up for steps people should take.

2. Which of the following best describes Dodger?

A) Loyal and wise

B) Headstrong and unkind

C) Undecided but funny

D) Calm but stern

3. What best describes the contrast between George and Owen?

A) George is more quick to anger and Owen more timid.

B) George is more outspoken and Owen more quiet.

C) George is more of a risk-taker and Owen more of a planner.

D) George is more wise and Owen more impulsive.

4. What does Mariposa symbolize for Natalie?

A) Discord and disbelief

B) Storms and anger

C) Beauty and hope

D) Questions and travel

5. Which of the following best develops the theme of Survival and Resilience in Disaster?

A) The snowmobile falling through the ice

B) Tops of sequoia trees catching on fire

C) Dodger finding the way through the fire

D) The food bank running out of supplies

6. Why does Akira overcome her fear and speak at the rally?

A) Her father encourages her to.

B) She wants to stand up for the sequoias.

C) She has been offered a speaking fee.

D) Natalie’s dog reminds her of Dodger.

7. How do Owen and George feel about Nanuq by the time they are rescued?

A) They understand and value Nanuq.

B) They despise and avoid Nanuq.

C) They are intrigued and question Nanuq.

D) They are indifferent and leave Nanuq.

8. How does Natalie lead her community after the hurricane?

A) Natalie raises money for the local school, concentrating on education.

B) Natalie applies for a research grant to build reinforced supports on every building.

C) Natalie starts a phone bank to get people to vote for environmental measures.

D) Natalie organizes a day when everyone comes together and shares what they have.

9. In which of the following ways do adults amplify the voices of young people in the novel?

A) Sue’s mom follows her advice during the fire and writes a book about her.

B) Akira’s mom listens to her and encourages her to speak at the rally.

C) George’s aunt organizes a rally for him to speak at after the polar bear attack.

D) Natalie’s neighbor invites her to speak on the news during the hurricane.

10. Which of the following best explains the mood after the event at the end, as the main characters realize how interconnected their lives are?

A) Buoyant

B) Inspired

C) Unhappy

D) Concerned

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. During the hurricane, what does Natalie realize about her friend in the high rise?

2. How is Patience connected to Akira, though they live far away?